Ikea and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on June 10, 2010, announced an expanded recall of window blinds with draw strings and connecting cords that can trap, injure and kill young children. Many Ikea blinds have been recalled previously for similar safety problems.
The CPSC and company have identified the following potential hazards from the recalled blinds:
- Roller blinds: Strangulations can occur if the blind’s looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor with the tension device provided and a child’s neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop.
Roman blinds: Strangulations can occur when a child places his or her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his or her neck. An additional hazard exists when the Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that if not attached to the wall or floor, which poses a strangulation hazard to children.
Roll-up blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.
To date, only the Roman blinds have caused reported injuries to children. Parents should immediately replace any Ikea-brand blind that lack one of the draw string tension devices pictured here.
The last 12 months have seen numerous safety recalls of products because of the risks those products pose to children’s health, mental and physical development and lives. Poisonous and carcinogenic cadmium has been found in paints used of McDonald’s Shrek collectible glasses and costume jewelry. Millions of drop side cribs with malfunctioning latches have been identified as deathbeds for infant and toddlers. Hinges on numerous models of strollers have been found to put children at risk for finger amputations. Collapsing highchairs have harmed hundreds of babies.
EJL